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Is anyone building HP with a non-turbo subaru?

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Dave_In_Florida Learner Dubber

2 posts · joined Aug 2011 ·

#1024155
I'm no stranger to motor swaps in VW's, and have decided that I want to put a subaru motor and trans in the rear of my beetle. The thing is, I really don't want to cut the car all up, and I want to keep everything under a stock decklid. I do plan to run a front mount radiator.

Because of the constraints of the stock engine compartment, I'm not sure I want to fuss with a turbo motor and finding room to fit everything.

So I'm hoping to run an EJ25 bottom end, with SOHC heads and intake. I have experience with aftermarket ECM's and would probably run one due to the age of the wiring and computers I'd need to use for the heads I (think) I want to run. But I'd really love to have closer to 200hp (sorry, don't know how to convert that to Newton Kangaroo's or whatever it is you guys use for power 😉 ).

Is anyone messing with N/A subaru's and making power? Does anyone make cams suitable for the N/A Subie? Will the intake become a restriction at that power level?

coletrickle Wolfsburg Wizard

661 posts · joined Apr 2009 ·

#1024156
Robin at perfourmance motors sport here in brisbane.Mainly turbo stuff big strokes etc.But a few years ago he did a small stroker iirc it was a 2.3? And made an easy 300 hp at the fw.Drop him a line I'm sure he can help you out.

Boozo Back in the bug

359 posts · joined Sep 2007 ·

#1024385
This is interesting, I was just thinking N/A individual throttle body (or even twin carb) balanced subi screamer could be fun. and really clean when you strip all the extra crap off the motor
'59 or Kombi?....feeling confused

'59 bug
'68 bug
'82 import T3 BUS. aircooled

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#1024389
There are a few companies in the states that do cams for Subarus. Just bare in mind, you need another ECU and they might want to you send them your cams as a core. Can get exy. Outfront would be worth contacting too. They know about this, but 200hp is not unattainable at all.

On another note, I did a bunch of research into a mental NA EJ25 a few years back. There are a couple of potential issues...
1. most NA EJ25s are open deck blocks. This means as the revs get up the bores can begin to move around.
2. there's an issue with one of the bearings. I think it's the centre bearing. It tends to spin this bearing under high revs/poor oil supply.

The other thing worth saying is it seems like Subaru really designed the EJ motors to be boosted rather than revved. The easiest and best way to get HP and torque is boost. It always makes the engine more efficient and gives you power at less revs. Less revs generally adds up to longer engine life (of course excepting crazy boost and bad tuning).
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#1024390
EJ 25s are not a very revy motor, go boosted EJ 20

coletrickle Wolfsburg Wizard

661 posts · joined Apr 2009 ·

#1024411
Boozo wrote:This is interesting, I was just thinking N/A individual throttle body (or even twin carb) balanced subi screamer could be fun. and really clean when you strip all the extra crap off the motor
Might be a 77 Leone on the street soon, stroker ej closed deck. with ida's

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#1025866
I made 126 hp through an auto with my ej20 quad cam
That was ok
Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

sander288 "Bolt-on Master"

1,404 posts · joined Aug 2008 ·

#1025887
Hasn't anyone built a bug with an FA20? Surely these are a better n/a subi motor?
BMW R65 LS
1967 1300 Deluxe
Swing-axles FTW ❗

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#1025889
More complicated motor.
I have a few I am building now, forged internals. Super charged and turbo changed

They are a poor build quality
Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#1025923
Issues are
Poor tourqe settings on build.
No casing sealing washers, boiling off of coolent within the cases due to std washers been used.
The amount if RV sealant used. In oil pick up.
Poor oil ring fitment on front case causing air to be drawn into oil.
Rocker arms braking
The amount of carbon on top of the pistons
Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#1025988
Dave_In_Florida wrote:The thing is, I really don't want to cut the car all up, and I want to keep everything under a stock decklid.
You can put a turbo on an EJ22 with good results.
This is an unknown mileage $50 junk yard EJ22 running MS and 9psi and made 190hp at the wheels, he got upto 240hp with 15psi and e85 but best of all no body cutting.